Wow! This first week in Barcelona has flown by and I can confidently say that we are making the most of our time here. My roommates and I, along with the rest of our group, have done a great job of planning and not letting any time go to waste. We have had many adventures, lots of good food, and learned a ton this past week and we only have more exciting things to look forward to in our future.
We started this week with a tour of the ever-impressive Sagrada Familia basilica. This Barcelona monument sits right around the corner from our flat, so we had seen the outside architecture many times before, but entering the grand doors of the basilica and learning the detail behind every carving and tower allowed us to truly appreciate and understand what an amazing feat the building really is. Now we get to admire the art and its meaning every time we leave our flat. On Monday, we began our classes which have proved to be very interesting and the coffee breaks are a great time for our whole group to get together and exchange our Spain experiences. This week I learned a lot about how the EU got its start and gave a presentation on the current political climate between Catalonia and Spain. After class, my roommates and I went to a local market where we got cheese, ham, and bread for a picnic dinner. That night, we hiked to the top of this place called, “The Bunkers,” and ate our sandwiches with an amazing view of Barcelona.
Our professors and guides have been so helpful and have really made sure we are learning and adjusting well during our time here in Spain. They led us in a Barcelona scavenger hunt through some of the most popular areas where we had to take pictures with landmarks and answer questions using clues. It’s safe to say that I was a little competitive in this game, but it paid off in the end because my team, “Los Perros Locos,” tied for first place! This week, we also toured the famous FC Barcelona and Gaudi’s “Casa Mila” which had some of the most interesting architecture I had ever seen. Gaudi definitely has a large presence and influence in this city and it has been very interesting to learn about his life and his style. On Friday, our whole group boarded a big bus for a trip to Montserrat where there is a practicing monastery and a stunning view of the mountains, then we traveled down the mountain where we arrived at the Freixenet headquarters. Here they produce Cava, a sparkling wine that is Barcelona’s most staple drink. It was so interesting to learn about all the work and technique that goes into making each bottle.
In between all of these adventures, we have kept ourselves very busy. We have been to the beach a couple of times and have enjoyed the awesome shopping. We also have had some really delicious food including Cannelloni, Paella, and tons of gelato! This upcoming week is going to be packed with new adventures, but also quite a few school assignments. Nonetheless, I am greatly looking forward to what is in store and can’t wait to see what this week brings.